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The Labour Party yesterday commenced its gubernatorial campaign in Jos with a pledge to calm frayed nerves and restore the old glory of Plateau State as “home of peace and tourism”. Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters at the Polo playground venue of the event, the national chairman of the party, Dan Iwuanyanwu, said it was regrettable that the image of Plateau has been destroyed by internecine fighting.

“I want to assure you all that come May this year, the Labour Party will give you a government that you desire,” Mr. Iwnanyanwu told supporters. “It is unfortunate that the government in place cannot guarantee you safety and peace.” He said the PDP government has continued to watch helplessly as an orgy of violence goes on and claiming the lives of innocent people.”

Mr. Iwuanyanwu described the Labour Party as a source of hope and justice for the ordinary Nigerian, adding that “any one who is not part of this event, who is not here to participate and behold this great day and moment, is an enemy of Plateau State.

Change is possible

Speaking after receiving the flag of the party as its gubernatorial candidate in the April elections, Plateau State deputy governor, Pauline Tallen, paid tribute to the Labour Party, acknowledging that the event is a culmination of a process of struggle to liberate the people of Plateau state. With a campaign slogan tagged “change is possible”, Mrs. Tallen said everyone in the state need a change from bad and ineffective governance to good leadership.

“We desire a change from violent crises, chaos and destruction to the era of peace”, she said, promising to bring reconciliation of all ethnic groups in Plateau State by running an all-inclusive government.

“We all desire a change from exclusive government to an all-embracing government”. Harping on why she fell out with her boss, the governor of the state, Jonah Jang, Mrs. Tallen said a change from tribal government to a government that all stakeholders have a role to play is necessary to bring about reconciliation and restore confidence and bring back the lost glory of the state. Former governor, Joshua Chibi Dariye, John Shagaya and Lumumba Da Adeh were presented with party flags as senatorial candidates for Plateau Central, South and North respectively.

Sixteen members of the State House of Assembly, who followed Mrs Tallen into the Labour Party from the PDP were also presented with flags. Earlier, tragedy struck in Kassa, about 20 kilometres south of Jos, when two buses collided. Police authorities confirmed that 12 persons died in the accident, while 21 others sustained various degrees of injuries. The police statement signed by Apev Jacob, the police spokesperson, said “the cause of the accident is being investigated”.